The analysis focused on four main pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia. In Estonia, their concentration in the air is within the norms. “Air quality affects the health of all Estonians, as well as the condition of our environment. In the worst case scenario, air pollution may cause serious diseases and long-lasting damage to nature,” explained Keit Pentus, Minister of the Environment. “That is why exact concentration levels have been set for air pollutants as to what concentrations are safe for human health and environment. It is nice to know that in Estonia, everything is under control in this respect and that the concentration of major pollutants in the air is well below the permitted values. All in all, in 12 European countries the concentration of one or several pollutants exceeds the permitted maximum. Compared to the permitted maximum, the level of emissions in the air in Estonia is noticeably lower: sulphur dioxide 83%, volatile organic compounds 78%, nitric oxide 61% and ammonia only 35% of the permitted value. The main sources of air pollution in Estonia are power engineering and transport sectors. Ammonia is mostly generated by livestock farming. “In Estonia, clean air is as natural as tooth brushing in the morning in a decent family, which does not mean, of course, that we should become indifferent and stop caring. More environmentally friendly energy production and more modern and comfortable public transport mean cleaner air and, thus, less health issues in the future,” Keit Pentus said. The initial summary of the European Environment Agency regarding the pollutants emitted into air in the EU countries in 2010 has shown that 12 Member States have failed to comply with the norms. The most severe non-compliances concerned nitric oxides. Spain was the only Member State that exceeded the permitted maximums for three of the four pollutants. The next country in the black list, according to the data of the Environment Agency, is Germany that exceeded maximums for two pollutants. Finland failed to comply with the permitted value for ammonia. Eleven Member States exceeded the maximum limit for nitric oxide: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Holland, Spain, and Sweden. Here, the main problem for the countries is road transport which generates approximately 40% of the nitric oxide emitted in the EU. An assessment of the emissions released into atmosphere in the EU Member States can be viewed at the European Environment Agency website. |
